How to Hang a Sheet as a Backdrop

A sheet can serve as a photography backdrop.

Hanging a sheet as a backdrop is easy and does not take very long to complete. As long as you have some bedsheets and a few supplies from a hardware store, you'll be able to hang your backdrop in a matter of minutes.

Things You'll Need

• 12-15 feet of natural, white or colored muslin sheet (for backdrop)
• PVC piping
• Rubber cement (or PVC pipe cement)
• 4 end caps to fit PVC pipe
• 2 bike hooks
• Plastic ties for attaching sheets to piping

Instructions

1. Go to a hardware store and purchase two PVC pipes, four end caps and rubber cement. Pipes should each be 6 feet long, and at least 3/4-inch diameter. One pipe will be for the top border of your backdrop and the other for your bottom. Use the rubber cement to glue your end caps to your pipes. PVC pipe cement could also be used. Each pipe should have a cap glued to the ends of the pipe.

2. Roll one end of the sheet twice around the PVC pipe. Use the plastic ties to tie off. Repeat this step with the other pipe.

3. Mount the two bike hooks on a wall for your backdrop sheet. Place the hooks six inches from the ends of each pipe. Place the PVC pipes with your backdrop sheet on the hooks. Pull the backdrop forward so that the sheet covers your pipes and hooks. You don't want your hooks and pipes to show in photographs. Let the sheet hang naturally.

Tips & Warnings

• Garage space can be used to hang the backdrop sheet.

• It's not necessary to use all the muslin if your photography space is small. Select the sheet's color based on the subjects you're photographing. If you're going to be photographing dark objects, then you may want to select a white or natural color muslin sheet.

• Avoid using too much rubber cement. Otherwise, your sheet may not hang properly because the glue will weigh it down.

References

• How to Make Your Own Backdrop, Denise Miotke
• Homemade Backdrops for Portrait Photography
• Anne Z on the Web, Anne Z